Doctor Who: Time Loop? Fan Theory Unveils Shocking Pattern!

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Summary

  • Fans noticed a pattern between 15th Doctor’s companions mirroring the early seasons of New Who.
  • Similarities in character arcs raise questions about a potential repeating storyline pattern.
  • The upcoming season may provide insight into the cyclic pattern and further develop the companions’ arcs.

Russell T. Davies took over as the showrunner once more for the 60th anniversary of “Doctor Who,” and fans eagerly anticipated his work due to his highly-regarded tenure from 2005 to 2010. Simultaneously, Ncuti Gatwa was revealed to be the upcoming Doctor, making his debut in the 2023 Christmas Special titled “The Church on Ruby Road.

Following the unveiling of the 2024 Christmas special and a sneak peek at the upcoming season, some viewers have spotted a recurring theme that might be connected to the show’s future direction – though this could also be mere coincidence. Given the series’ history of intricate details, especially during Russell T Davies’ tenure as head writer, fans are eager to determine if this pattern has deeper implications for the Doctor in “Doctor Who”.

Is History Repeating Itself?

Astute viewers found a striking similarity between the company kept by Character Fifteen and the initial companions of the Tenth Doctor in the era known as “New Who.

As a fan who hasn’t caught up on the series for a while, here’s a quick recap: In the 2005 revival, I encountered Rose Tyler and we journeyed together through two seasons. Donna Noble made her debut in the final scene of ‘Doomsday,’ and became more prominent in the Christmas special titled ‘The Runaway Bride.’ Martha Jones, my second companion, joined me for just a single series (season 3). She continued to make occasional appearances into season 4. Later on, I met Donna again and she took on the role of the primary companion during the show’s 4th season. Now, you might wonder why going over old times is important – well, understanding the past can help us appreciate the present and anticipate the future in this thrilling journey through space and time!

Initially, the 15th Doctor’s traveling partner was Ruby Sunday. It appears that in the next season, Ruby might be stepping aside, possibly joining UNIT, to make room for a new companion named Belinda, who has been featured in the sneak peek for the upcoming season. At first glance, this seems like a routine change of companions. However, this transition could hold more significance if viewers consider the most recent Christmas special, ‘Joy to the World.’

In this particular episode, the Doctor resides at the Sandringham Hotel in London for an entire year, forming a strong bond with Anita Benn, a hotel employee. Viewers appreciated the friendship that developed between the Doctor and Anita, leading some to theorize that she might serve as a future travel companion.

In the beginning phases of the show’s comeback, a similar sequence unfolded. Rose initially joined the Doctor, then there was an individual encounter between the Doctor and Donna, followed by the arrival of Martha. However, Donna reappeared later on as a regular traveler with the Doctor in her own season.

Doctor Companion 1 Christmas Special Companion 3 Companion 4
10 (David Tennant) Rose Tyler (Billie Tyler) Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) Donna Noble
15 (Ncuti Gatwa) Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) Anita Benn (Steph de Whalley) Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) ?

Exploring further, it’s evident that these companions share numerous commonalities. Certain aspects, such as both being fair-haired individuals whose names start with ‘R’, are somewhat coincidental, symbolizing shades of red. Interestingly, both characters spent a significant portion of their time with the Doctor on quests to find a parent they had lost: Rose’s deceased father, and Ruby’s biological mother.

In the new season, it’s possible that certain characters might be given more importance due to their prior appearances. For instance, Freema Agyeman portrayed Torchwood employee Adeola in the last season’s ‘Army of Ghosts’ episode, and she now plays Martha’s companion. This connection is hinted at when Martha mentions that one of her cousins worked and perished at Canary Wharf during the Dalek invasion. Similarly, Varada Sethu, who will play Belinda in this season, previously appeared as Mundy Flynn in the last season’s ‘Boom’ episode. So, it remains to be seen whether these recurring faces will have their backstory explored further in the upcoming season.

Does This Pattern Mean Anything?

The storyline of the 15th Doctor differs significantly from that of the 10th Doctor, primarily because Rose Tyler, who debuted with the 9th Doctor (Christopher Eccleston), stayed on as a companion for an additional season compared to Ruby Sunday. Additionally, the bond between fans and Ruby isn’t as strong as it was with Rose, who continues to be a fan favorite. Furthermore, Ruby’s storyline seems less emotionally charged than the romantic narrative between Rose and the Doctor that had a profound impact on viewers.

In a somewhat parallel manner, though not exactly mirror images, Rose and Ruby’s storylines exhibit striking resemblances, hinting at a potential pattern emerging. Despite their distinct differences, both characters delved into comparable themes of family dynamics and grief, and both managed to encounter their missing parents due to their encounters with the Doctor. It’s not just Ruby who appears to follow Rose’s path; the rogue character from the ‘Rogue’ episode bears striking resemblances to Captain Jack Harkness, a beloved recurring figure from the early revival who went on to star in his own spinoff series, Torchwood. These intriguing similarities might be intentional, inviting viewers to ponder why these connections are being made.

Perhaps the purpose behind establishing this pattern is to make it appear fragile. It would add intrigue if the spectators are made to believe history is repeating, but a surprise twist emerges that shatters that repetition illusion. How might this be achieved? At present, we’re still trying to grasp Belinda’s or Anita’s intentions and loyalties. Either character could initially seem friendly, but later reveal themselves as quite unlike what they first appeared.

Should Russell T. Davies Continue As Showrunner?

As a die-hard Doctor Who fan, I’ve noticed that opinions about the showrunners tend to shift like the Time Lord himself. With such a massive fanbase, it’s no surprise that there’s a wide range of views on episodes and entire seasons. Russell T. Davies is often praised for his initial contributions to the show’s revival, but his more recent work on Doctor Who remains a topic of debate. However, considering the quality of his earlier seasons, I believe we should have faith in him and eagerly await what he has planned next.

In earlier seasons of Doctor Who, created by Davies, there are clues that might help us understand the current characters’ stories, and whether these recurring themes hold any significance. The early revival was filled with subtle details that were easily missed but when noticed, they connected to form a cohesive storyline, providing valuable insights. For example, ‘Bad Wolf’ in season 1, ‘Torchwood’ in season 2, ‘Vote Saxon’ in season 3, and the repeated mentions of bees vanishing in season 4. The closest we’ve come to this in the latest season is Mrs. Flood, a mysterious character, and Susan Twist, an actress whose name appears frequently throughout the series. These instances hint that Davies had a larger narrative in mind for the show, and we should be careful not to overlook such patterns.

What Can We Expect From The Future?

Judging by the preview for the upcoming season, it’s certain that Ruby Sunday, our current companion, will return, along with a new character named Belinda Chandra. Initially, Belinda appears hesitant about joining the Doctor on her travels, but we don’t know how her storyline will unfold. It’s possible that the series may explore a connection between Belinda and Mundy Flynn, though this is yet to be determined. We might also encounter more of Anita in future seasons.

The sneak peek at the upcoming season offers a thrilling sneak of old tales blending with fresh ones. As you watch, fans may want to bear in mind this theory, searching for additional connections that could hint at where the Doctor’s journey is going next.

Season 15 of Doctor Who is expected in May 2025, on Disney+ and the BBC.

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2025-02-08 18:54